Jacket notes
The inspiration for crafting this collection of blessings emerged when my son’s bride-to-be approached me with a heartfelt request — to compose a blessing for their upcoming wedding. The setting for this joyous occasion was a picturesque country farm adorned by the shade of an enormous tree, providing a splendid and spiritual backdrop. The essence of love in such a magnificent setting fuelled my desire to create a meaningful blessing which, though I did not know it at the time, would become Ribbons of Love.
The impending wedding was destined to be a celebration of love and joy. However, what started as a simple blessing request transformed into an exploration of love’s various facets, encompassing both the joys and challenges the couple would encounter on their journey together. To my daughter-inlaw’s surprise, the blessing extended beyond her expectations, weaving a tapestry of sentiments and well wishes.
After the wedding, as I continued to reflect on the blessings, the collection grew. The expansion was not just a numerical one. It delved deeper into distinct themes, each blessing serving as a unique ribbon, intricately woven to express different dimensions of love.
There are 25 blessings in the book: Celebration, Commitment, Creation, Splendour, Roots, Faithfulness, Illumination, Protection, Courage, Heritage, Nurture, Covenant, Home, Haven, Family, Respect, Trust, Loyalty, Gratitude, Passion, Intimacy, Friendship, Tranquillity, Peace, Blessing.
I wanted Ribbons of Love to transcend the boundaries of traditional ceremonies, making it a personal and inclusive guide for individuals of all backgrounds — regardless of nationality, creed, race or sexual orientation.
I found that the blessings extended beyond weddings and grew to include engagements, anniversaries and other commitments. I vividly recall sending a special anniversary blessing to my sister, eliciting a response that read: “Oh lovely! Who wrote it?” That really made me smile. The acknowledgment was a testament to the personal touch embedded in each blessing.
Ribbons have long been used to symbolise different human emotions and values. In this book of blessings on the union of two people, the different ribbons of love symbolise the varied aspects of enduring love. The interweaving of the ribbons seems to capture the joy of the day of celebration.
Together, the ribbons, augmented by the words of the blessings and the glowing colour and form of the illustrations, suggest both the beauty and gravity of this avowal.
The pandemic presented an opportunity to collaborate with the exceptionally talented illustrative artist Annie Kruyer. Channelling her creativity during those challenging months, Annie meticulously crafted artwork for each thematic set of blessings. The cover art, a poignant depiction of two people standing together with a blue binding ribbon, symbolises a couple’s commitment to embark on a new life journey hand in hand. The final artwork in the book features an older couple facing each other, holding hands tightly as a golden ribbon envelops them —a poignant representation of enduring love.
Ultimately, this collaboration between the written word and illustration is a celebration of the multifaceted nature of human expression. It acknowledges that sometimes words alone are insufficient to encapsulate the richness of our thoughts and feelings.
Through this union, the soul finds a more expansive canvas for self-expression, where words and art dance together, weaving a tapestry that resonates with the beauty and complexity of the human spirit.
Ribbons of Love celebrates love and lovers. It serves as a guide that encourages readers to delve into the diverse dimensions of love through the fusion of blessings and art. With each ribbon unfurling, a narrative unfolds, carrying with it stories, sentiments and wishes that collectively weave a vibrant tapestry of love uniting us all.